Truong Tuoi Dong Nai defeats Becamex Ho Chi Minh City, advances in National Cup

At 7:15 p.m. on September 14, the 2025–2026 National Cup qualifying match between Truong Tuoi Dong Nai and Becamex Ho Chi Minh City took place at Binh Phuoc Stadium (Binh Phuoc Ward).

In this match, both teams fielded their strongest lineups, though the home side was without striker Cong Phuong, who was ruled out at the last minute due to health reasons.

Right from the opening whistle, despite playing in a lower division, the home side Truong Tuoi Dong Nai showed their threat with aggressive attacks down both flanks.

The home fans at Binh Phuoc Stadium didn’t have to wait long for a breakthrough. In the 5th minute, following a rapid run into the box by Van Khoa, Becamex Ho Chi Minh City defenders were forced to bring him down. From the penalty spot, Alex Sandro made no mistake, putting the home side in front.

Truong Tuoi Dong Nai's foreign striker, Alex Sandro, celebrates the opening goal with a somersault. Photo: Nhu Nam

Despite taking the lead, Truong Tuoi Dong Nai were caught off guard by a counter-attack in the 22nd minute, showing a lack of defensive urgency and allowing Quoc Khanh to fire a shot from outside the box to level the score.

Before the first half ended, Truong Tuoi Dong Nai played with greater sharpness and created more dangerous chances than V.League side Becamex Ho Chi Minh City. The most regrettable moment came in the 32nd minute, when left-back Van Khoa once again broke down the flank and delivered a pinpoint cross to Alex Sandro. However, Sandro’s powerful header inside the box lacked precision and failed to extend the lead for the home side before halftime.

As the second half got underway, the match remained evenly balanced. It wasn’t until the 61st minute that the deadlock was broken by a stunning free-kick from nearly 30 meters out by Minh Vuong. With his exceptional set-piece technique, the midfielder wearing jersey number 8 for Truong Tuoi Dong Nai curled the ball over the wall and into the top corner, leaving Becamex Ho Chi Minh City goalkeeper Minh Toan rooted to the spot and putting the home side ahead 2-1.

Minh Vuong is congratulated by his teammates after his superb free-kick put Truong Tuoi Dong Nai ahead 2-1. Photo: Nhu Nam

In the 75th minute, last season's top scorer Luu Tu Nhan dashed the visitors’ hopes of an equalizer with a precise header from a right-sided corner, extending Truong Tuoi Dong Nai’s lead to 3-1.

Despite their best efforts in the final minutes, Becamex Ho Chi Minh City could do no more and had to accept a 2-goal defeat against the First Division team, Truong Tuoi Dong Nai.

Luu Tu Nhan also leaves his mark with his scoring prowess by setting the final score at 3-1 for Truong Tuoi Dong Nai. Photo: Nhu Nam

With an impressive season-opening victory over a higher-division opponent, Truong Tuoi Dong Nai not only booked their place in the Round of 16 of the 2025–2026 National Cup but also gave their home fans strong belief in a successful season ahead.

By Nguyen Tan - Nhu Nam-Translated by: Mai Nga, Minho